Roy Hodgson – Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha is one of the world’s top players

BY SAM SMITH

Roy Hodgson believes Wilfried Zaha is comparable with the world’s top players, in the wake of the Crystal Palace winger signing a new deal.

 

The Ivory Coast international signed a contract extension to stay with the South Londoners until 2023, amid speculation that he would leave during the summer transfer window.

 

Hodgson said: “He’s very, very good. All players have different qualities. He tops marks in so many aspects of his game and you can’t say that about all players. He’s up there with the very best.

 

“Wilfried’s new deal quashes any speculation over his long-term future. It gives the football club, Steve [Parish] and Doug Freedman an opportunity to do some serious planning.

 

“He has a talismanic quality in terms of coming from this area. We’re delighted that this is where he wants to be. We think very highly of him both as a player and as a person.”

 

Zaha was linked with the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund during the summer but last week chairman Steve Parish denied any formal bid being made.

 

And Hodgson didn’t have to do too much convincing to make the Palace academy graduate stay.

“I have conversations with Wilf all the time. We didn’t need to have one where he and I sat down [to discuss staying],” said the 71-year-old, who has also signed a new deal until the end of the 2019/20 season.

 

“It’s been clear to Wilf that as far as I’m concerned, and as far as the staff are concerned, that we want him here. He’s challenged himself to do even more in terms of scoring and assisting this season, which he needs to do more of.”